Workshop Lighting

Good lighting in a work-shop is ESSENTIAL, the best type of light to have is daylight, but sometimes that lacks due to the time of day, and how many windows you have.

Here are the main types of lights you can use in a workshop:

Firstly the most common, and cheapest. The humble strip light.

These are good, and are common in most workshops, they produce clear, even white light. They don't give off alot of heat and the are very cheap.

The bad things are they sometimes flicker alot, especially in the winter, when they are turned on.

I use these for their great even spread of light.

Halogen flood lights are popular on industrial operations, they are very bright, and cover a wide area. They are cheap, although they do consume alot of energy.

They get very hot, this can be a hazard is some areas, and also the bulbs are broken easily and they cause shadows. I used to have these lighting my workshop, and got fed up. Now they are gone.

Spot lighting. These are designed to be used in houses, for example in the kitchen where they are focuses on certain parts.

They produce a bright light, and you can choose where you would like it directed.

These are more expensive, and more of a luxury to have, you can but halogen or conventional ones.

Again, I use these in my workshop, along with strip lighting.

Some woodworkers, especially turners like to use desk lights such as this, to closely light their work. These can be used to a woodworkers advantage as they are portable and cheap.

I think its nice to be able to control lighting, if you are starting a workshop. Consider the above types. Consider possibility's of future changes. You may decide the lights are too dim or bright and want to change them.

You may also find your lights give off too much heat.

I like my mix of spot and florescent lighting. The florescent strip lights produce and even spread. The spots are focused on the key machines, shelves, and bench areas for clear viability. They also make it a lot less dull, although strip lights are very good, they produce flat and boring light.